God is a Mighty Fortress

One day a Monk was walking in the city of Strasbourg when he met a peasant. By way of greeting the man, the monk said, "God give you a good day, my friend."

"I thank God I never have a bad day," answered the peasant.

Astonished, the Monk was silent for a moment, then tried again. "God give you happy life, my friend."

The peasant replied, "I thank God I am never unhappy."

"Never unhappy?" cried the Monk, bewildered. "What do you mean?"

"Well," came the response, "when it is fine I thank God, when it rains I thank God, when I have plenty I thank God, when I am hungry I thank God, and since God's will is my will, and whatever pleases Him pleases me, why should I say I am unhappy when I am not?

The Monk looked at him with awe. "Who are you?" he asked.

"I am a king," said the peasant.

"A king? Where is your kingdom?"

The peasant smiled. "In my heart," he whispered.